A water photographer is in hospital with bite wounds after an apparent seal attack at the New Zealand Pro World Surf League event.
Australian Ed Sloane had puncture wounds to an ankle and had a flipper ripped off in the attack.
Organisers suspect a seal, rather than a shark, attacked Sloane.
The wounds are minor and Sloane was in good spirits.
A code red was called immediately after the attack and the men's semi-final between Brazilians Yago Dora and Italo Ferreira was put on hold.
The incident comes 11 years after Australian great Mick Fanning fought off a shark in his final at the South African J-Bay Pro.
"It was our beloved water photographer, Ed - thank God, he's in good spirits, he's well considering what happened, minor, small puncture wounds," WSL commissioner Renato Hickel said.
